TUMBLING Pilot: Mike Küng

1 Tumbling is definitely one of the most exciting acro manoeuvres. It is really a SAT, but with several
axes shifted by applying a different entry time and particularly by initiating it in the opposite direction
to the preceding manoeuvre. The pilot flies backwards around his canopy as with a SAT, but this
time vertically! Two or sometimes even more almost vertical rotations over the canopy are possible,
depending on the characteristics of the wing and its loading.

In competitions this is one of the top scoring Tumbling feels similar to a very high Asymmetric
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manoeuvres. If the rotation is perfectly vertical and SAT, which is an absolute must as prerequisite
the exit precise, it can score you a lot of points. manoeuvre.

Requirements Variant for advanced pilots

Tumbling should generally be flown in the upper
weight range of your wing. Slow, good-natured wing
profiles quickly lose energy and often allow only one
3 rotation of Tumbling. The manoeuvre requires a very
high level of previous experience and knowledge
and only very experienced pilots – those who can
do all the basics blindfolded- should try it.
In order to fly your Tumbles even more vertically
over the canopy, you can slightly delay the time of
entry. With perfect timing the canopy can already
dive absolutely vertically under the pilot on only
the second rotation. Only pilots who have mastered
Rhythmic SAT can upgrade this manoeuvre to
Infinite Tumbling.

How does the manoeuvre work? It is possible with modern acro gliders to try
Tumbling requires maximum speed. Normally the entering a Tumbling from a normal steep Spiral
4 pilot builds up speed via Asymmetric Spiral. Once Dive, the same as for Loop. However, here the pilot
momentum is sufficient, the pilot - e.g. instead of must be able to put the glider absolutely straight at
a Loop or an Asymmetric SAT – enters a SAT in the the deepest point of the pendulum, which requires
opposite direction. perfect timing and above all extreme precision in
It is very important, as always, that the wing and weight shift.
pilot are perfectly aligned straight ahead at the
lowest point of the pendulum of the Asymmetric
Spiral and there is no curve or spin tendency
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anymore!
Exactly when the body is at the bottom of the
pendulum, the pilot briskly enters a SAT to the
opposite side. Extremely strong G-forces arise,
as in the Asymmetric SAT. Centrifugal forces want
ENtRY

to push the body to the outside, which must be

resisted by strong support from the outer riser.
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